Galentine's Day celebrations add activism to breakfast food

Pasco County Commission candidates Kelly Smith, left, and Brandi Geoit prepare forms for their Galentine's Day meeting Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, in Lutz, Fla. Galentine's Day, which is celebrated on Feb. 13, is a day to celebrate not only women's friendships, but activism. In the light of the #MeToo movement, Galentine's Day marks the positivity of the women's movement and female solidarity. Chris O'Meara AP Photo

Galentine's Day celebrations add activism to breakfast food



When Kelly Smith thought about when to hold her kickoff event for a county commission campaign in suburban Florida, she chose a day symbolizing women supporting women: Galentine's Day. The unofficial holiday began as an idea on a popular sitcom. But this year, many women like Smith are turning it into part of the #MeToo movement. "Galentine's Day is about celebrating women working together, and that's how we're going to win," said Smith, who lives in Pasco County on the state's west coast.
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Celebrated the day before Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day was first introduced on the television show "Parks and Recreation." Amy Poehler, playing the character Leslie Knope, declared, "Every Feb. 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas." It became a cultural movement of sorts — like Festivus, but with better food and less aggression. In recent years, women have marked the day with leisurely brunches, giving each other books or throwing parties that involve fizzy cocktails and, of course, waffles.

But this year, women across the country are celebrating with more than just mimosas and Instagram-worthy gifts. It's a natural extension of the #MeToo movement for those marking a day of activism, politics and female solidarity.

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